Thailand Live Friday 25 Nov 2011

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Flood death toll raises to 615 (Bangkok Post)

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Bangkruay, Bangbuathong, Sainoi districts sees approximately 3-5cms down in water levels , posttoday reports /TANN

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RT @Tulip_Oum: in front of Civil Servant center on ChangWattana rd at 8am, dry. ~@Thichapat http://twitpic.com/7j5ta9

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AFP: Thailand counts cost of monster floods

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'Fix it center' mobile unit offers services free of charge for motorcycles, electrical appliances, etc. call 1579 /govt contact center /TANN

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RT @KristieKenney: Its official RT @USEmbassyBKK SecState Clinton to travel to Nay Pyi Taw & Rangoon, Burma 11/30-12/2 http://tinyurl.com/84wjjgu

RT @KristieKenney: Sec Clinton's trip to Burma next week is the first visit to Burma by a US SecState there since John Foster Dulles in the 1950s

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Govt, BMA Vow to Alleviate Flood Situation Prior to HM King's Birthday

The government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration held talks yesterday regarding an approach to drain floodwater in areas outside the capital.

They denied having any conflict and pledged to alleviate the flood situation ahead of His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5.

Following a multi-party discussion, a government representative, the Bangkok governor, and provincial governors of provinces bordering Bangkok joined hands and pledged to work together to solve the flood crisis, especially to speed up the drainage of floodwater in areas surrounding the capital.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit affirmed that the government has no conflict with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration over the floodwater drainage approach and that they still work in harmony.

He also defended Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra that the governor does not intend to protect the capital alone but he did care about areas outside it too.

Yongyuth added all sides will work together to improve the situation ahead of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday on December 5.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok governor said the BMA will take into account the impact on areas both outside and inside the flood walls before it decides to open or close sluice gates.

He added the situation is starting to improve, but admitted that drainage is still slow in Thonburi areas.

As for the situation in the eastern part of the capital, Sukhumbhand said the levels of most canals, including Rangsit Canal, have receded constantly.

Provincial Governors of six provinces surrounding Bangkok urged the government to provide more pumps to siphon out stagnant flood water, especially in Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, where flood water prolonged for months.

The water begun to stink and became a breeding site for mosquitoes.

The Nonthaburi governor expects that it will take at least 19 days to drain all the water to the Ta Chin and Chao Phraya River.

In Samut Prakan provinces, floodwater has subsided in most areas, as in Chachoengsao, which is still capable of handling runoffs of up to 100 million cubic meters a day.

In Samut Sakhon, only the Om Noi municipality is still under deep floodwater.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Somboonsuk spoke at the meeting that 1,700 more pumps has been distributed to flood zones.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

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Their Majesties Visited Teachers Injured by Southern Insurgency

Their Majesties the King and Queen have graciously given flowers to five teachers injured in the insurgency violence at Narathiwat Province.

Yesterday at Yala Hospital, Yala Governor Krisda Boonyarat was asked by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit to give flowers to five teachers from Lahan school in Narathiwat Province who were injured in insurgent attacks.

One of the teachers is School Director Sitthichai Wannajitcharoon.

All the teachers were touched by their Majesties' gracious gift.

The five teachers were injured in a bombing on November 17 while heading to their homes in Ruso municipal after school.

All of them are now in stable condition.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

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Sunday's censure to outline botched flood control

The Nation

The Sunday's censure debate will outline what went wrong at the Flood Relief Operations Centre , chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanawisit said on Friday.

"The censure is not about the voting outcome because the coalition lawmakers will likely cast their votes of confidence," he said in reference to the coalition majority of 300 in 500 votes.

The debate on the performance of Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who is in charge of the FROC, will focus on the mismanagement of the flood situation, he said.

"The government has made several mistakes, triggering a number of protests due to lopsided flood control in different areas and prompting the censure," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-11-25

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 11am Pattani's Muang district is declared disaster zone and under emergency evacuation, due to 1m flood water. ~@Neaw_NBC

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Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition applies to re-register as political party, beginning its formal return to mainstream Myanmar politics /MCOT

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ICT Minister Suggests TOT, CAT Address Overlapping Investment

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Songkhla gov announces 5 districts in Songkhla declared as disaster zones including Sabayoi-Kuannieng-Jana-Rattabhum-Singhanakorn /TANN

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Pattani: Flooding in 55 districts, 203 villages. Disaster zones will be declared today in Pakaharung and Taluboh districts /TANN

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Nakornsithammarat governor orders all areas to prepare for flooding due to several days of continuous rainfall /TANN

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Public content with military performance in helping flood victims: Thai poll

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Chalerm's fabricated story a diversion to gov't failure: Sophon

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SET index midday down 4.25 pts, 0.43 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Friday stood at 976.25, down 4.25 points, or 0.43 per cent in line with euro, U.S., Asian shares amid euro debt concerns.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 682.97, down 3.69 points, or 0.54 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: ADVANC, PTTGC, JAS, BANPU, SCB.

-- The Nation 2011-11-25

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AFP: Post-flood Thailand stands by populist rice policy

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Chart Thai Pattana to vote for Pracha

The Nation

The Chart Thai Pattana Party will cast the votes of confidence for Justice Minister Pracha Promnok following the Sunday's censure, party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa said on Friday.

"After reviewing the informations and the charges, I think there would be any problem for Pracha," he said.

The opposition will grill Pracha in his capacity as the head of the Flood Relief Operations Centre.

Chumpol said flooding was a natural phenomenon and that flood control measures were under the responsibilities of several agencies while Pracha was the coordinator on flood control.

He said his junior coalition party was in full support of Pracha's work.

Should the censure debate mention the role of the Royal Irrigation Department under his party's supervision, he said he was prepared to rebut any charges for mismanaging the flood water.

He said what happened was a natural phenomenon and not human error.

-- The Nation 2011-11-25

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RT@tulsathit: Bangkok poll (1,087 nationwide): Most impressive anti-flood performance 1. Soldiers. 2. Thais helping each other. 3. Volunteers.

RT@tulsathit: Bangkok poll: Least impressive anti-flood performances 1. MPs/local politicians. 2. FROC. 3. Prime Minister.

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RT@Biz_TheNation: Govt unlikely to revise populist policies,min.wage hikes,new rice price scheme after floods despite inflationary risk,Kittirat said

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Phuket jet-skis on the rise

Phuket jet-ski operators with unregistered jet-skis will not be punished, in the hope they will join a scheme and get first-class insurance.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/514880-the-phuket-marine-office-to-take-it-easy-on-jet-ski-rental-operators/page__view__findpost__p__4870988

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Over 100 locals block Raminthra Rd entrance to soi 5 due to dissatisfaction that water level has not receded yet in their areaTAN_Network

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Bangkok Governor unworried as Nonthaburi residents file lawsuit at Administrative Court charging flood mismanagement; Court sets first hearing on Nov 29/MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: Dream World and Safari World are still closed due to floods & there is no news about when they will re-open

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Bangkok Governor Explains Reasons Refusing to Open Floodgates

The Bangkok governor explained the reasons for refusing to comply with the demands of academics and residents to open water gates and let the water flow naturally by insisting that such a move would put Bangkok at risk.

Bangkok Governor Mom Ratchawongse Sukhumbhand Paribatra explained that the goal behind opening the floodgates was to discharge stagnant water that resulted from torrential rain.

However, due to the severity of the flooding, the water needed to be drained from the eastern and western areas, which in turn affected a number of homes and caused conflict.

Regarding the conflict between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Flood Relief Operation Center, or FROC, Sukhumbhand confirmed that the two are working well together.

However, an assessment of the impact is needed before any action can be taken.

With respect to the issue of residents tearing down Big Bags from the flood wall to see which direction the water flows, Sukhumbhand said he is willing to follow the residents' demands.

However, other sandbag dykes will need to be removed or managed as well to ease the overall flood situation.

The governor asked residents to speak with authorities before taking any action, as the removal of more big sandbags could cause serious damage to important areas.

Sukhumbhand insisited that he will not agree to the demands of academics and residents who ordered that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration open floodgates and let the water flow naturally in its own direction, as Bangkok is the source of many important government and business offices.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

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Locals blocking Raminthra Rd allows cars to pass now, but still gathering to wait and meet BMA rep to negotiate on flooding in the area /TANN

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Don Mueang Airport scheduled to reopen before end of January after deep flood forces its closure since October: AoT /MCOT

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Flood Situation Expected to Ease by December 5

The defense minister expects the flood situation to normalize before His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5.

He urged residents to refrain from tearing down temporary flood walls and to consider the overall benefit of the public.

This morning, Defense Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa commented on the Flood Relief Operations Center's goal to ease the flood situation before December 5, saying that if all units cooperate well, the situation will return to normal before December 5.

Stagnant floodwater will slowly be drained as this round of high tide ends on November 29.

He expected that all floodwater will be drained by December and areas designated for celebrations to honor His Majesty the King's birthday will be completely dry before December 5, particularly the inner areas of the Rattanakosin Island.

Meanwhile, draining floodwater out from the Air Force base must be done slowly and carefully to prevent the water from flowing south into the city.

Regarding the demolition of the Big Bag barriers, the defense minister said it is necessary that the FROC pursue those responsible as tearing down flood walls could put many important areas at risk.

Yutthasak asked that residents strongly consider the greater good.

Furthermore, while floodwater remains stagnant and becomes foul, Yutthasak urged Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary General Satien Permthong-in to quickly apply EM balls to improve the quality of the water as soon as possible.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25